Follow the instructions below to calculate the per diem allowance when you are traveling to a foreign destination.
In the right place? For reimbursement by receipt instead of per diem, see special conditions and requirements.
What to do
How to it
1
Calculate the number of days on travel status.
Calculate the number of hours on travel status.
Divide the number of hours on travel status by 24.
Example: 756 hours of travel divided by 24 = 31.5 days of travel.
Round partial days to the nearest quarter.
Example: Round 33.69 days to 33.75.
Note: Travelers are not eligible for per diem if the travel is less than 21 hours in duration.
2
Determine the per diem rate.
Find the appropriate per diem rate for the travel destination.
3
Calculate the total per diem for the travel event.
If the number of days on travel status is 29 days or less, use the following calculation:
Number of days x per diem rate = total per diem
If the number of days on travel status is 30 days or more, use the following calculation:
Number of days x per diem rate x 55% = total per diem.
For meals provided at no charge during travel, you must deduct the meal rate from the allotted per diem.
See reduction rates (PDF) to determine the amount to deduct from the daily per diem. You do not have to decrease incidental expenses.
For lodging provided at no charge, only the Meal and Incidental Expense (M&IE) portion of the per diem will be reimbursed.
Note: You do not need to submit receipts for meals and lodging when claiming per diem on a Travel Expense Voucher (TEV) (Excel). Receipts for meals and lodging are required only when claiming actual expenses due to special circumstances.
Notice: UCSD travel policy, as published in Blink, is decisive. It has been adapted to UCSD's organization, delegation of authority, terminology, chart of accounts, and processing applications. The source for UCSD travel policy is UC Travel Policy and Regulations.